There are several ways to make money by selling used things. You can open a thrift store or secondhand store, operate a flea market booth, or sell online via auction sites like eBay or with your own website. Many people do make a great living by the “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” philosophy. But how do you go about finding used things to sell?

1—De-Clutter! Your own stuff is a great start and you already own it. Clean out your attic, garage, closets, kitchen drawers, even the trunk of your car. You will probably be amazed at the things you already own that someone else may be able to use.

Ask friends and family to do the same, with the added benefit that you will come get their stuff and take it all away!

2—Shop yard sales. Go early to get the good stuff, but go late to get the bargains. Often, if you will offer someone just a few dollars to take away their leftovers, you can get great deals. Nobody wants to put their stuff back up, and you can save them a trip to the donations site.

3—Freecycle and craigslist are two great websites to find use items for free or really cheap. People post items they are either offering to give away (freecycle.org), or to sell (craigslist.org).

4—Estate sales. It’s not just antiques and treasures you can find at estate sales, but almost anything. And, often, you can get really good bargains.

5—Lots on eBay. “Lots” on eBay are typically bundles of like items. You can get good deals here because the owners are usually offering quantity discounts, plus you usually save on shipping costs. Plus, you can search for particular items, so you can find niche items easier.

6—Flea markets. Another good option for buying used (or even new at great prices) may be your local flea market. You can find a huge variety of stuff at a flea market.

7—Thrift stores or charity stores. Goodwill, Salvation Army and other charity, thrift or junk stores are also good places to shop for items to resell, too. Since most of these are trying to make some profit, it really helps if you know your market so you can determine the really good deals.

8—Trash day. Take a cue from Fred Sanford and peruse your neighborhood (or ritzier sections of town) on trash pick-up day. People throw away perfectly good stuff all the time. This can be a gold mine for the used goods entrepreneur, particularly if you have a flair for fixing stuff up. In this case, one man’s trash becomes another woman’s “shabby chic.”

In hard economic times, and with the current focus on conservation and recycling, thrift stores and secondhand stores are enjoying a surge in popularity, and with these tips on finding used things to sell, you can making money in no time.